Child safety concerns on the rise in Limerick

CONCERNS were raised about the welfare and safety of more than 1,300 children across Limerick last year, according to new figures disclosed by the Health Service Executive.

A total of 1,347 reports on individual cases were received from the gardai and concerned individuals about the care of children in Limerick last year – a 36% increase on the figures for 2007, which city councillors have described as “alarming”.

The reports refer to child protection and welfare concerns, including emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. The reports were forwarded to the HSE by other childcare agencies, the gardai, as well as concerned individuals and families, and the number of reports received for 2012 is expected to be even greater.